Faith in Action

In January 1862, early in the Civil War, Thomas Stonewall Jackson was leading his Stonewall Brigade on a march through uncomfortable conditions. Walking along muddy roads, one soldier wrote, At every step someone [was] cursing old Jackson for taking us on such a march in such weather.

But attitudes changed when Jackson rode among his troops. The same soldier observed, Though the march was hard and toilsome, we felt that he knew what he was doing and that it was for the best.

Historian Shelby Foote describes how Jackson s goal was to discipline his men and instill in them a spirit of aggressive action. Jackson felt that many bad habits were formed when soldiers were passive. He sought to toughen them and help them develop the feeling of invincibility. This attitude helped spawn confidence and led to many military victories.

In contrast, after Jackson s men won a battle at McDowell, Virginia, the vanquished Northern troops became known as weary boys. They lacked discipline. They were tired. They expected defeat. Many Christians are like these weary boys. Rather than living boldly with confidence in God, they fill their minds with negative thoughts and feel defeated. They are like the sluggish man in Proverbs 24:33-34.

Today, ask God to give you the right attitude. Cooperate when He seeks to teach you. Then put your faith into action. Don’t sit by passively, don’t be negative, and don’t assume that you will be defeated. Trust in God. Stand on His Word and believe Him for victory.